How to Tell if Your Mare is Pregnant and Why It's Important

If you're wondering if your mare may be pregnant, there are a few ways to figure it out. The gestation period of a female horse is approximately eleven months. For the first few months, there may be no visible signs that the mare is carrying a foal. If you suspect your mare is in foal, it is essential that she is cared for properly right from the beginning of her pregnancy, to optimize both her health and the health of the foal.

How to Tell If Your Mare is In Foal and Why It's Important

The only way to be sure that your mare is in foal and that the pregnancy is progressing normally is to have your mare examined by a veterinarian, preferably one who specializes in equine reproduction. This should be done about 14 to 18 days after the mare has been bred.

At this point, the veterinarian can determine if the mare is carrying twins. Twin pregnancies are a major cause of re-absorption and spontaneous abortions in horses. If your mare is carrying twins, one of the embryos can be 'pinched off,' to give the other embryo a better chance for normal development.2 It may seem cruel, but the benefits must be weighed alongside the risks. The chances of a mare surviving the birth herself and successfully producing strong twin foals are slim. Neither the mare nor the twins may survive, if both embryos are allowed to develop.

The mare should be checked again at regular intervals as determined by the vet, to ensure that she's still in foal and there are no uterine infections that need attention. As the vet can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing normally and how advanced it may be,